COVENTRY Rugby will be bidding a final farewell to coach and former player Tony Fenner.
The former utility back, whose career took him to Italy, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Scotland, is relocating permanently to New Zealand.
He announced his retirement from playing last season before joining the back-room staff and Coventry have agreed to release him from his contract to pursue a life opportunity that benefits his family.
The club said it completely supports Tony and his family in this decision and wishes them the very best in their new adventure.
Head coach Alex Rae said: “You’ll struggle to meet a nicer person so he’ll be really missed.
“He has done really well in his new coaching role and he’s really added to the team and environment, but we fully understand and support Fen’s decision to head off to New Zealand, and ultimately family always comes first.”
Fenner said: “I can’t thank the club, Jon Sharp, the coaches, my former teammates and Coventry’s loyal supporters enough for everything they’ve done for me during my time here. I also want to say a big thank you to my wife and family for the continued support throughout my entire career.”
Fly-half or centre Fenner, who joined the Blue and Whites in 2016, made more than 100 appearances for Coventry, ending with playing against Ealing in the Championship Cup final last May, before becoming backs coach on a full-time basis this season.
He began his career with Bedford’s Academy and made his Bedford first team debut aged 18 years old in 2005.
After four years in Bedfordshire, Fenner headed Down Under to represent Otatuhu in the Auckland club competition in New Zealand.
It was there that Tony met his now wife and mother of their son, Luzaan.
A phone call from the current Wales head coach Wayne Pivac then persuaded Fenner to journey to South Africa, and help the EP Kings to a Currie Cup winning campaign in 2010.
A stint at Otago in the ITM Cup preceded representing Modena Rugby in Italy before he headed back to New Zealand to play for Auckland once again under Pivac.
In the 2013/14 season Fenner made his European Cup debut when playing for Viadana before he joined Edinburgh to make his Heineken Cup debut, and then returned to Bedford Blues.
Next stop was France and he won the Golden Boot at Limoges before moving to Nevers in the ProD2 league.
